1. Choose the right suitcase
Start with the basics. A carry-on suitcase must respect certain dimensions. Generally speaking, 55 cm high, 35 cm wide and 20 cm deep. Check with your airline.
Choose a model with wheels. Four wheels make it easy to get around. Internal compartments help separate belongings. A soft bag fits better under the seat. It avoids refusals in the cabin. Weigh empty: ideally less than 2 kg. This maximizes your payload.
For your journeys with Chalair, consult our authorized dimensions. This step lays the foundations for efficient storage.
2. Prepare a precise list
- A week before, list everything.
- Think about the climate. Check the weather forecast.
- For 10 days in a sunny destination, 4 T-shirts are enough. 2 pairs of pants, one worn on the day of the flight. A light dress. A thin cardigan. Carry the heaviest items with you. This frees up space. Add a versatile scarf. A pair of shoes in addition to the sneakers on your feet. 2 swimsuits if you're going to the beach. 4 pairs of underwear. Limit socks. If it's possible to do laundry on site, reduce it even further.
- Visualize your suitcase on the bed and eliminate anything superfluous.
- Buy sunscreen on arrival.
This method optimizes the space in your carry-on bag right from the start.
3. Control rolling
- Method for most garments: fold in half lengthwise, then roll up tightly to form a cylinder. This saves up to 30% space and reduces wrinkles, especially on cotton. Ideal for T-shirts, jeans and leggings.
- For delicate garments: prefer traditional folding, layering thin paper to avoid distortion (e.g. shirts).
- Storage: arrange the rolls vertically, like in a drawer, to see everything at once.
This approach, inspired by proven methods, maximizes space and facilitates access. Try it out on your next trip!
4. Exploit the nooks and crannies
- Fill shoes: slip on rolled-up socks or belts to save space.
- Placement at the bottom: place shoes (wheel side) and heavy toiletries at the bottom.
- Middle layer: place the rolled garments in the middle.
- Top layer: reserve the top for fragile objects.
- Fill in the gaps: use chargers or small objects to fill in the spaces, just like in Tetris - no centimetres lost!
- Other tips: spread belts along the walls and insert a scarf into a hood.
This method optimizes space, avoids in-flight movements and is ideal for short trips.
5. Manage liquids with precision to pass controls
- Follow the rules: all liquid containers must be no larger than 100 ml, for a total of 1 liter. Place them in a transparent 20x20 cm bag.
- Space-saving tips: use reusable bottles. Choose solid products such as shampoo bars, toothpaste tablets or compact soaps.
- Put the bag on top of the suitcase for quick access to the controls.
- Exceptions and essentials: prescription drugs are allowed beyond the limits. Take along paracetamol and bandages.
This method optimizes space in your carry-on bag without risk, and speeds up passage through security checks.
6. Select versatile clothing
- Choose a trio of basic colors (white, black, blue) for easy combinations.
- Multi-purpose pieces: choose reversible garments and lightweight accessories such as a scarf or jewelry.
- Practical materials: choose crease-resistant fabrics.
- For cold weather: take a compressible down jacket that rolls up into a ball.
- For the beach: take along a thin, quick-drying microfiber towel.
- Space-saving tips: wear jeans and a jacket on the plane. Plan to do laundry on site (maximum 7 days without washing).
7. Space-saving accessories
- Use cubes or pockets to sort: tops in one, bottoms in the other, underwear separated.
- Compression: for sweaters, compress by expelling air to reduce volume by up to 70%.
- For accessories: opt for transparent covers for cables or products, for quick viewing of contents.
- For shoes: use fabric pockets to avoid soiling the rest.
These tools optimize space in your carry-on suitcase, make it easier to store dirty laundry on your return and are indispensable for nomadic travelers.
8. Adapt the tips to your type of trip
- Think about the destination: for a business trip, prioritize folded formal wear. For leisure, roll up all your clothes.
- Electronics: store chargers in pockets. External batteries are allowed in the cabin.
- See the Aéroports de Paris website for more tips.
Optimizing space in your carry-on frees up time for what's most important: enjoying your trip. By applying these tips, your travels will become simpler, with less weight and more freedom. Test these techniques now. Enjoy your flight!